Book 2 - Page 157 (1/2)
”Our business relations.h.i.+p is over. Done.”
I frown at him. ”Will you liquidate the salon business?”
He snorts. ”I'm not that vindictive, Anastasia,” he admonishes me. ”No. I'll gift them to her. I'll talk to my lawyer Monday. I owe her that much.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. ”No more Mrs. Robinson?” His mouth twists in amus.e.m.e.nt and he shakes his head.
”Gone.”
I grin.
”I'm sorry you lost a friend.”
He shrugs then smirks. ”Are you?”
”No,” I confess, flus.h.i.+ng.
”Come.” He stands and offers me his hand. ”Let's join the party in our honor. I might even get drunk.”
”Do you get drunk?” I ask as I take his hand.
”Not since I was a wild teenager.” We walk down the stairs.
”Have you eaten?” he asks.
Oh c.r.a.p.
”No.”
”Well you should. From the look and smell of Elena, that was one of my father's lethal c.o.c.ktails you threw over her.” He gazes at me, trying and failing to keep the amus.e.m.e.nt off his face.
”Christian, I - ”
He holds up his hand.
”No arguing, Anastasia. If you're going to drink - and throw alcohol over my exes -
you need to eat. It's rule number one. I believe we've already had that discussion after our first night together.”
Oh yes. The Heathman.
Back in the hallway, he pauses to caress my face, his fingers skimming my jaw.
”I lay awake for hours and watched you sleep,” he murmurs. ”I might have loved you even then.”
Oh.
He leans down and kisses me softly, and I melt everywhere, all the tension of the last hour or so seeping languidly from my body.
”Eat,” he whispers.
”Okay,” I acquiesce because right now I'd probably do anything for him. Taking my hand, he leads me toward the kitchen where the party is in full swing.
”Goodnight, John, Rhian.”
”Congratulations again, Ana. You two will be just fine.” Dr. Flynn smiles kindly at us, standing arm in arm in the hallway as he and Rhian take their leave.
”Goodnight.”
Christian closes the door and shakes his head. He gazes down at me, his eyes suddenly bright with excitement.
What's this?
”Just the family left. I think my mother has had too much to drink.” Grace is singing karaoke on some game console in the family room. Kate and Mia are giving her a run for her money.